Rural Outsourcing FAQ

What is Rural Outsourcing?
Rural outsourcing, also called domestic or onshore outsourcing, is an attractive alternative to outsourcing information technology (IT) services overseas or to firms in major metropolitan areas. In our case, "rural" means the work is done in mid-sized American cities away from large urban centers.

How does Rural Outsourcing save my company money?
This approach controls costs in several ways:

Where is the work performed?
All work is performed at Saturn Systems' two locations (Duluth, Minnesota, and Charleston, South Carolina) or on site at clients' facilities when necessary.

Who performs the work?
Qualified technical staff performs all work in the communities where we are located. Our Duluth office, for example, draws talented personnel from two universities, a private college and several state colleges and technical schools in the immediate vicinity. These institutions all support computer science degree programs, providing Saturn Systems with a steady stream of qualified graduates and experienced alumni. Our staff experience ranges from entry-level technicians to software engineers with more than 20 years in the industry.

Why should I use Rural Outsourcing rather than send my work overseas?
Here are just a few benefits that Saturn Systems offers over offshore IT providers:

Why should I use Rural Outsourcing instead of a consulting firm in my local metropolitan area?
Metropolitan firms cannot offer the cost savings of rural outsourcing. By locating in mid-sized American cities that are great places to live, Saturn Systems can attract and retain skilled technical staff at lower costs. It would be difficult for metropolitan firms to deliver the same outstanding level of talent at comparable prices.

There are independent developers that can do the work for similar or even lower rates, why should I use Saturn Systems?
Independent developers can be effective for smaller, less critical applications. However, Saturn Systems provides the broader expertise and long term stability of an established firm. In the end, you must evaluate the risks and decide on the best solution for your project.

There are other rural outsourcing firms, why should I use Saturn Systems?
Saturn Systems has nearly 20 years of experience in the world of custom software engineering. Our staff consists of experienced, degreed professionals that are well suited to front line work on mission critical systems. Saturn Systems headquarters is located in Duluth, Minnesota, a city with 3 local universities in a state known for its high education standards and strong work ethic, providing us with a consistently high quality workforce.

I am concerned about the level of expertise in rural areas. How do you attract and retain qualified staff?
Saturn Systems offices are purposely located in vibrant, mid-sized American cities with outstanding opportunities for talented professionals.

For example, the Twin Ports of Duluth, Minnesota, and Superior, Wisconsin serve as the higher education hub of Northeast Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin. The area supports two universities, a private college and numerous state colleges and technical schools with computer science degree programs. It also is the gateway to the North Shore of Lake Superior which offers year-round outdoor recreational opportunities, as well as arts, culture and fine dining. The region's high quality of life is very attractive to people of all ages and levels of experience.

Charleston, South Carolina, is another thriving community, attractive to young singles, experienced professionals, families, college students, and empty nesters.

My business is not in a large metro area. Can Rural Outsourcing reduce my costs?
Yes it can, through more efficient utilization of resources, access to Saturn Systems' years of experience and pricing based on your specific needs.

What types of work can be outsourced?
Virtually anything can be outsourced with the right communications structure in place, however, the most efficient types of work are individual software development and IT projects and staff augmentation.

What does "Offshore to the North Shore" mean?
Find out here.

How long does it take to realize gains from Rural Outsourcing?
Savings are immediate, thanks to our competitive rates. Contact Saturn Systems today.